News

Through ALEC, Global Corporations Are Scheming to Rewrite YOUR Rights and Boost THEIR Revenue

Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians vote behind closed doors to try to rewrite state laws that govern your rights. These so-called "model bills" reach into almost every area of American life and often directly benefit huge corporations.In ALEC's own words, corporations have "a VOICE and a VOTE" on specific changes to the law that are then proposed in your state. DO YOU? Numerous resources to help us expose ALEC are provided below. We have also created links to detailed discussions of key issues, which are available on the left.

Background: School and Infrastructure After six years of complete Republican control, Governor Walker, and fellow Republicans are attempting to paint a rosy picture in preparation for their next campaign. Sadly, this picture simply doesn’t align with reality for many Wisconsinites. The middle class is struggling, our roads and bridges are crumbling, and our public schools need our support more than ever.

Question: Along with other Republicans, you made historic funding cuts to public education and our universities and tech colleges, created a rigged economy and tax system. Middle class families are struggling to get ahead, and Republicans still have no long-term plan to fix Wisconsin’s roads. It is time!

How do you plan on tackling our infrastructure problems and invest in our future by investing in Wisconsin’s children?

Background: Ending Over-site Commissions In his budget, the governor unveiled his proposals to end the Labor and Industry Review Commission, the Educational Approval Board and the Judicial Commission. He contends the changes will streamline government processes.

Question: These commissions were put in place as a system of checks and balances to guard against corruption by politicians and other public servants.

If you support the Governor, how to you intend to guard against corruption in our State government?

Background: Legalizing Cannabis Oil Sen. Chris Larson has proposes a bill that would create a safe and legal process for cannabidiol to be manufactured in the state and remove barriers to accessing CBD medicine for suffering kids.

Question: Will you support this legislation?

Follow up: In addition to the use of Cannabidiol for suffering children, what about chronic pain suffers? Wouldn't t be a better alternative for them than opioids, which has become such a health problem in our state?

Background: Gerrymandering The Republican leadership in Madison have given a blank check to two pricey law firms to contest the ruling from a panel of federal judges ordering them to redraw the district maps they rigged last time around. It's reported one big law firm will be paid a minimum $175,000 and a second Wisconsin-based GOP law firm will make $300 an hour (with no cap).

Question: Where do stand on the recent federal court rulings that Wisconsin’s state legislative districts must be redrawn by the state legislature by November 1st, 2017 and how can you justify spending this enormous amount of taxpayer money in defense of the illegal gerrymandering to rig our state elections?

Followup: Currently only state Democrats support the development of a non-partisan redistricting board. Why aren't you? Is having fair and free elections a priority for you?

Background: Weakening Gun Control The U.S. Congress just voted to weaken our background check system and make it easier for dangerously mentally ill people to get their hands on guns.

State Republicans are planning on introducing a similar bill - LRB 1042/2, relating to: furnishing, purchasing, or possessing a firearm for a person who is currently prohibited from possessing a firearm. Evidently these lawmakers care more about advancing the gun lobby's dangerous agenda than they do protecting the lives of everyday Americans.

Question: What is your position on further weakening our current gun laws?

GOP Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he wants to approve a bill that would let high-capacity well owners repair or replace existing wells without a permit. The mega farms want looser rules governing controversial high-capacity wells and groundwater that already allow them to draw 100,000 gallons of water a day for irrigation. But as the number of large farms has grown, the huge volume of water drawn by high-capacity wells has become a major concern, as rivers and streams throughout Wisconsin shrink or dry up during the summer. Several large farms, as well as employees from those farms with an interest in the issue of high-capacity wells have been throwing tens of thousands of dollars over to Republican legislative campaign committees.

Question: With water becoming an ever growing concern in the State, do you approve of allowing these mega farms to repair or replace these wells without a permit?

On a related farm and water issue Cranberry Creek submitted an application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to expand their concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) from 2,107 animal units to 7,250 animal units. This CAFO is sited alongside Cranberry Creek and only a short distance from the Chippewa River near the environmentally sensitive Tyrone Property Area currently owned by Xcel Energy. This pristine 1,000 acre property has been offered to and agreed to be purchased by the State of Wisconsin with the purpose of protecting it in perpetuity.

Question: Given the quantity of manure that the proposed expanded Cranberry Creek CAFO will produce and the self-regulating nature of Wisconsin’s approach to the CAFO industry, it's likely that Cranberry Creek, Chippewa River and the sensitive Tyrone wildlife area will see increased nutrients, pathogens and agricultural run-off in the water which may cause irreparable harm for human and animal sustenance.

What is your position on allowing this immense amount of manure to contaminate and pollute these waters?

Gov. Walker wants to reinstate the failed and scandalized Wisconsin Economic Development Commission loan program that cost the state millions, and benefitted the rich and corporations but opposes the refinancing of student loans while nearly 1 million residents continue to struggle with student loan debt.

As top Republicans across the nation call for investigations into Russia, Wisconsin Republicans are yet to follow suit or even question what President Trump and top officials in his administration knew and when they knew it.

Question: Green Bay and the Fox Valley have a significant population of immigrants. They are a significant portion of our workforce. Are you in favor of ICE rounding up immigrants and dividing families by automatic deportation?

Other State Legislators have expressed their belief the Governor is trying through his 2017-2018 budget to rebuild his sagging approval ratings with a reversal of education cuts, but is neglecting roads, income inequality, and families struggling with rising child care costs, student loan debt and retirement insecurity.

Some details of the budget haven't been released yet, like his capital budget, which includes proposed borrowing. The Governor has proposed an increase of 500 positions in his Department of Administration. All but one of these jobs listed were “Supervisory and Management.” This staff increase is almost half (47%) of the DOA workforce.

Question: The final budget will likely be closer to $77 billion, once road fund borrowing and other building projects are added. This budget is $2.8 billion more than his last budget and is the largest in state history.

Do you have any comments on this information and share your impression of the Governor's proposed budget?

The $19 billion of debt held by Wisconsinites is a tremendous blow to the future of Wisconsin’s middle class economy. The ability of Wisconsinites to support their families is in jeopardy.The debt owed by the average student loan has continued to grow in Wisconsin to a staggering $29,460, ranking Wisconsin in the top five states for highest student loan debt in the nation.

Question: Representative Mason and Senator Hansen are have authored legislation that provides common sense solutions to help resolve the student loan debt crisis in Wisconsin. Will you support this legislation?

Your colleague, Joel Kleefisch announced he is planning to introduce a bill making it mandatory for all high school students in the state who are involved in extracurricular activities or park a car on school grounds to submit to random drug testing.

Question: Testing is quite expensive. How will it be paid for? What repercussions can a student expect if drugs are found in their urine and what treatment will be offered? Are you aware that a high percentage of urine drug tests produce a false result?

Followup:

Don't you think it would be a better idea, if you trying to catch kids who are using drugs, to either random test all students, or test those who are not involved in extracurricular activities?

Scott Walker had been a long-time proponent for drug testing Wisconsin residents who apply for food stamps, unemployment benefits, jobs training, or benefits and training from a handful of other state programs.

Question: Arizona, one of 7 states doing such testing has spent 1.7 million dollars to test welfare recipients and have only caught 1 person. Do you support testing Wisconsin residents receiving public benefits? Would spending millions of dollars be justified?